How to Navigate Lending, Syndications & Industrial Investing in 2025

Overview

In this 37-minute episode, Derek Dombeck sits down with David Hansel, founder of Alpha Funding and Lucerne Capital Partners, for a deep dive into the evolution from single-family flips to commercial and industrial real estate investing. David shares his journey through market cycles, how he built a thriving lending business during the 2008 crash, and how he transitioned into managing over $300M+ in assets through funds and syndications.

You'll gain first-hand insights into hard money lending, fund management, and small-bay industrial investing — with actionable advice for both new and seasoned investors.

Key Takeaways

• How David built a successful hard money lending company during one of the toughest markets.

• The evolution from retail lending to institutional partnerships and fund structures.

• Why small-bay industrial properties are a hidden gem in today's market.

• How to structure funds and syndications that attract serious capital.

• What every borrower should know about lender ethics, underwriting, and costs.

• The mindset shift from flipping $50K homes to handling $50M+ commercial portfolios.

• Lessons from competitive sports (yes, diving!) that translate directly to business perfection and growth.

Relevant Topics 

• Hard Money Lending vs. Private Money

• Raising Retail & Institutional Capital

• Risk Management and Underwriting in Changing Markets

• Fund Formation, Syndication, and Investor Relations

• Transitioning from Multifamily to Industrial Real Estate

• The Rise of Small-Bay Industrial Spaces

• Building Team Culture & Sustainable Growth

Why You Should Listen

If you've ever wondered how to scale from single deals to managing millions in capital, or how seasoned investors navigate lending, funds, and market shifts — this episode delivers pure gold.
David's perspective combines financial discipline, creative strategy, and practical wisdom every investor needs in today's climate.

⏱️ Time Stamps 

• 00:00 – Derek's intro and how David entered real estate

• 03:00 – Founding Alpha Funding during the 2008 crash

• 08:30 – Raising capital and managing private investor funds